Stump Cross Caverns is a show cave and family visitor attraction on the B6265 at Greenhow Hill, between Pateley Bridge and Grassington. It’s in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the southern fringe of the Yorkshire Dales. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening times, ticket prices, how to get there, parking, accessibility, and practical tips to help you plan your visit.
Important! Entry to Stump Cross Caverns is included within the Visit York Pass. If you’re planning to visit several attractions in Yorkshire, this can save you significant amounts of money.
Updated February 2026: Stump Cross Caverns is closed every Monday and Tuesday — a detail missing from many third-party listings that show the attraction as open daily or give no closure days at all. Weekday visitors can only visit Wednesday to Friday. Additionally, ongoing excavation work in C Chamber has been making headlines: in February 2026, diggers uncovered a fossilised wolverine jawbone, one of several Ice Age animal remains found in the new section of cave currently being opened up.
Quick facts: Stump Cross Caverns, Yorkshire
| Opening times | Wednesday to Friday 10:00–17:00 · Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00 · Closed every Monday and Tuesday |
|---|---|
| Adult admission | £16 |
| Child admission (ages 3–13) | £11.50 |
| Concession | £14 |
| Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) | £49.50 |
| Under 4s | Free |
| Address | Greenhow Hill, Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire, HG3 5JL |
| Getting there | Car only — on the B6265 between Pateley Bridge and Grassington. No public transport service. |
| Parking | Free on-site car park adjacent to visitor centre |
| Cave temperature | 7°C (44.5°F) year-round |
| Self-guided tour duration | 40–50 minutes |
| Wheelchair accessible | No — the cave entrance involves steps with no lift; the cave interior has uneven ground, low ceilings, and narrow passages throughout |
Stump Cross Caverns opening times
Stump Cross Caverns is open Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. The attraction is closed every Monday and Tuesday. The site is also closed on 24 and 25 December and on 1 January. Opening times may vary on bank holidays and during special events; checking the official website before travelling is advisable, particularly as the site is in a remote rural location with no fallback attraction nearby if unexpectedly closed.
From 15:00 each open day, the cave switches from standard installed lighting to a UV experience: the standard lights are turned off and visitors receive ultraviolet torches. Both experiences cover the same cave route and are included in the standard admission price. Visitors who specifically want the standard lighting experience should plan to arrive before 15:00; those who prefer the UV experience should book a post-15:00 slot.
Opening times were checked on the official Stump Cross Caverns website and last updated in February 2026.
Stump Cross Caverns ticket prices
Adult cave admission is £15. Children aged 3 to 13 pay £10.50. A concession ticket is £13. A family ticket covering two adults and two children is £47.50. Children aged 3 and under enter free. All cave tickets include the UV torch experience (from 15:00) and a free activity worksheet for children aged 3 to 13.
| Adults | £16 |
|---|---|
| Children (aged 3–13) | £11.50 |
| Concessions | £14 |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children) | £49.50 |
| Under 4s | Free |
Additional paid activities are available on site and are booked separately from standard cave admission. These include fossil digs, Stone Age workshops, Discovery Days packages, and gem panning at the Stump Cross Mining Co. sluice. Gem panning allows visitors to pan for real gemstones from mystery bags and keep what they find. The cave and cream tea experience (served in the outdoor pod with views across the Dales) is also bookable separately.
Stump Cross Caverns is not included in the National Trust, English Heritage, or Historic England membership schemes. Tickets can be booked online via the Stump Cross Caverns website or purchased in person on arrival. Online booking is recommended for weekends and school holidays when timed entry slots can sell out.
Entry to the caves is covered by the Visit York Pass, however. This gives free entry to several key attractions in York, including the Yorkshire Museum, Clifford’s Tower, the York Castle Museum, Jorvik Viking Centre and York Minster. But several attractions outside the city are also included, such as Castle Howard, the Captain Cook Memorial Museum in Whitby, Beningbrough and the North York Moors Railway.
Ticket prices were checked on the official Stump Cross Caverns website in February 2026.
How to get to Stump Cross Caverns
Stump Cross Caverns is located on the B6265 at Greenhow Hill, a moorland road running between Pateley Bridge (to the east) and Grassington (to the west). The site is accessible by car only. There is no practical public transport service to the caverns from any nearby town or city. The nearest railway stations are Harrogate and Skipton, both approximately 13 miles away, and neither has an onward bus service to the site.
- From Harrogate — take the B6165 west to Pateley Bridge, then follow the B6265 towards Grassington. The caverns are on the right-hand side, approximately 2.5 miles west of Pateley Bridge. Journey time approximately 35–40 minutes.
- From Skipton — take the B6265 east through Grassington towards Pateley Bridge. The caverns are on the left-hand side approximately 6 miles from Grassington. Journey time approximately 25–30 minutes.
- From the A1(M) — exit at junction 47 (Boroughbridge) and follow the B6265 west through Pateley Bridge, continuing for approximately 2.5 miles after the town.
Use postcode HG3 5JL for sat-nav. The B6265 is a single-carriageway moorland road with some narrow sections; drivers of larger vehicles should allow extra time. In winter, the road can be affected by ice, snow, or standing water — checking road conditions before travelling is advisable between November and March.
Parking at Stump Cross Caverns
Stump Cross Caverns has a free on-site car park directly adjacent to the visitor centre. There is no parking charge and no time limit during opening hours. The car park accommodates cars, motorhomes, and coaches. Free coach parking is available near the entrance. A small number of motorhome overnight pitches are available to book separately via the official website for those wishing to stay on site.
How long to spend at Stump Cross Caverns
The self-guided cave tour takes 40 to 50 minutes. Most visitors spend between two and three hours on site in total when combining the cave tour with the Time Café, Crystal Cavern gift shop, and outdoor areas. Visitors who add a fossil dig, gem panning session, or Stone Age workshop should allow a minimum of half a day. Discovery Days packages, which bundle the cave tour with multiple activities, are designed to fill a full day on site.
Accessibility at Stump Cross Caverns
Stump Cross Caverns has no wheelchair access. The caves are a natural limestone system and the terrain throughout — including the entrance steps, the cave interior walkways, and parts of the outdoor area — is not navigable by wheelchair or mobility scooter. The cave interior has uneven ground, low ceilings in several sections, and narrow passageways that require ducking and careful footing. The cave floor can be wet and slippery in wet weather. The attraction notes that while designated walkways are in place and the caves are well lit, some areas are physically demanding.
Hard hats are mandatory for all visitors including children; these are provided at the entrance at no extra charge. Back carriers and rucksacks are not permitted inside the caves due to the risk of injury from low ceilings; only front-facing infant carriers are allowed. Dogs are welcome in the visitor centre (including the gift shop and Time Café) and in the outdoor areas, but are not permitted inside the caves. The exception is registered guide dogs, which are permitted throughout.
The caves are 7°C (44.5°F) year-round. Visitors with conditions affected by cold temperatures should account for this when planning. The Time Café and gift shop are at ground level in the visitor centre and accessible without entering the caves.
Stump Cross Caverns: what to see and do
Stump Cross Caverns is a natural limestone cave system formed approximately 300 million years ago and first discovered in 1860 by lead miners working the surrounding moorland. The show cave is self-guided, following a lit route through a network of chambers and passageways. Formations along the route have been given descriptive names by previous visitors and staff, among them the Wedding Cake, the Hawk, the Butcher’s Shop, the Organ, and the Sleeping Cat. Glittering calcite crystal formations, stalactites, and stalagmites are visible throughout.
The cave runs two distinct experiences daily. Before 15:00, visitors tour under the cave’s permanent installed lighting. From 15:00, standard lights are switched off and each visitor receives an ultraviolet torch; under UV light, the calcite formations appear to glow from within. Both experiences follow the same route and are included in the standard admission price. Timed slots for each experience are booked at the point of purchase.
Children aged 3 to 13 receive a free activity worksheet on arrival, with a choice between a fossil quiz and a fairy trail (hunting for hidden fairy doors placed throughout the cave). Completing the activity earns a small prize. The Stump Cross Mining Co. gem sluice — a series of wooden troughs filled with water — allows visitors to pan for real gemstones from a mystery bag; finds are kept by the visitor. This is a separate paid activity bookable on arrival or in advance.
The outdoor area includes a stone maze, a sandpit (with occasional planted fossils to find), and picnic tables overlooking the Dales. A resident dragon sculpture named Zitta watches over the outdoor space. In wet weather, the visitor centre houses the Time Café — serving hot food including the well-reviewed homemade sausage rolls and Yorkshire pudding wraps, alongside sandwiches, cakes, tea, and coffee — and the Crystal Cavern gift shop, which stocks fossils, gems, jewellery, books, and Stump Cross’s own-brand ale. A 40-seat private cinema is available for group hire.
Active archaeological excavation of a new section known as C Chamber is currently ongoing on site. In February 2026, the excavation team found a fossilised wolverine jawbone — one of several Ice Age animal remains, including reindeer, uncovered during the dig. Updates on the excavation are published regularly on the Stump Cross blog.
Practical visitor tips for Stump Cross Caverns
| Dress for 7°C underground | The caves are 7°C (44.5°F) year-round, regardless of outdoor conditions. Warm, layered clothing is essential even in summer. In wet weather, the cave floor can be slippery — sturdy footwear with grip is advisable. Wellies are recommended on wet days. Rucksacks are not permitted inside the caves; leave bags in the car or at the visitor centre. |
|---|---|
| Closed Monday and Tuesday | The site is shut every Monday and Tuesday. Visitors arriving on those days will find the attraction closed. Always check stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk before making the journey — the site is remote, and there is no comparable attraction in immediate walking distance. |
| UV experience from 15:00 | The UV torch experience starts at 15:00 each day and runs until closing. Standard lighting slots are available in the morning and early afternoon. Both run on the same route; book whichever experience you prefer when purchasing tickets, as they use separate timed slots. |
| Book in advance | Online booking is recommended, particularly for weekends, school holidays, and UV slots. Timed entry helps manage the number of visitors in the narrow passages; arriving at your booked slot time is important. |
| Hard hats and carriers | Hard hats are mandatory for all visitors, including children, and are provided free at the entrance. Only front-facing infant carriers are allowed inside the caves — no back carriers, no rucksacks. This is a firm safety rule enforced by staff on entry. |
| No public transport | A car is essential. There is no bus service to the site from Harrogate, Skipton, or Pateley Bridge. Visitors without a car cannot reach the caverns by public transport. |
Frequently asked questions about Stump Cross Caverns
| Is Stump Cross Caverns open on Mondays? | No. Stump Cross Caverns is closed every Monday and Tuesday. It is open Wednesday to Friday 10:00–17:00 and Saturday and Sunday 10:00–18:00. |
|---|---|
| Do you need to book in advance? | Advance online booking is recommended, particularly at weekends and during school holidays when timed slots can sell out. Tickets are also available on the day at the visitor centre, subject to availability. |
| Is Stump Cross Caverns wheelchair accessible? | No. There is no wheelchair access. The cave entrance involves steps with no lift, and the cave interior has uneven ground, low ceilings, and narrow passages throughout. The Time Café and gift shop in the visitor centre are accessible without entering the caves. |
| How cold is it inside the caves? | The caves maintain a constant 7°C (44.5°F) regardless of the season. Warm, layered clothing is essential for all visits, including in summer. |
| Can I bring my dog? | Dogs are welcome in the visitor centre (including the Time Café and gift shop) and in the outdoor areas. Dogs are not permitted inside the caves, with the exception of registered guide dogs. |
| Is there public transport to Stump Cross Caverns? | No. The caverns are on a remote moorland road with no practical bus service. A car is required. The nearest railway stations are Harrogate and Skipton, each approximately 13 miles away, with no onward public transport connection to the site. |
| How long does the cave tour take? | The self-guided cave tour takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Most visitors spend two to three hours on site in total when adding time in the café, shop, and outdoor areas. |
| What is the UV experience? | From 15:00 each open day, the standard cave lighting is switched off and visitors receive ultraviolet torches. The calcite formations in the caves respond to UV light and appear to glow. The UV experience follows the same route as the standard-lighting tour and is included in the standard admission price. |
| Is there parking at Stump Cross Caverns? | Yes. Free on-site parking is available for cars, motorhomes, and coaches, directly adjacent to the visitor centre. Motorhome overnight pitches can also be booked via the official website. |
| Are children’s activities included in the admission price? | Children aged 3 to 13 receive a free activity worksheet (choice of fossil quiz or fairy trail) and a small prize as part of their admission ticket. Gem panning, fossil digs, and Stone Age workshops are separate paid activities not included in standard admission. |
Things to do near Stump Cross Caverns
Stump Cross sits on the B6265 midway between Pateley Bridge and Grassington, with several notable attractions within easy driving distance in the surrounding Nidderdale and Wharfedale countryside.
- Brimham Rocks (approximately 5 miles east, 10–15 min drive) — a National Trust site on Brimham Moor featuring naturally weathered millstone grit formations, some rising to 9 metres. Free to walk on the open moor; a National Trust car park charge applies (free for NT members). Short, manageable paths make it accessible for most visitors.
- Pateley Bridge (approximately 2.5 miles east, 5 min drive) — a market town in Nidderdale with independent cafés, pubs, and the Nidderdale Museum. The town is the start and finish point of the 53-mile Nidderdale Way walking route.
- The Coldstones Cut (approximately 2 miles, 5 min drive) — Yorkshire’s largest public sculpture, a stone installation on Coldstones Hill with viewing platforms overlooking a working limestone quarry and panoramic views across the Nidderdale AONB.
- Grassington (approximately 6 miles west, 15 min drive) — a Yorkshire Dales village with a cobbled market square, independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. A National Park Centre is located in the village and serves as a base for exploring Upper Wharfedale.
- Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal (approximately 14 miles east, 25–30 min drive) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising the ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian abbey and an 18th-century water garden, managed by the National Trust.
More North Yorkshire travel
Other North Yorkshire travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What to see at the RHS Garden Harlow Carr in Harrogate.
- Practical visitor guide to Rievaulx Abbey near Helmsley.
- What to see and do at Helmsley Castle.
- The best bits of Byland Abbey.
- Practical visitor guide to Aysgarth Falls and Linton Falls in the Yorkshire Dales.
